BicyleR Evolution - The Shopper There are times when you need to tote more than you can comfortably carry on your bicycle, even a long wheel base recumbent designed for self contained touring. That is when you need a trailer. I used a trailer for all of my European Tours and for Newfoundland and Labrador...

So, I’m thinking about a new saddle. The one I have is sufficient. But I’m wondering… “Is there something better out there?” I think I get a little uncomfortable in the saddle a little too frequently. Sure, I know it’s recommended to shift around a lot but I’m...

With gas prices up and a new grocery store only about three miles away, my though has been wouldn’t using my bike for grocery shopping be great. I’d get the exercise, save on gas, and do some hauling with a load. But groceries don’t fit very well in panniers and I just couldn’t...

Slipstream - Spring 08 - Short Cranks - TerraCycle Idlers - Grocerey Bags Continued from So you want shorter Crank Arms Now What? My new shorter cranks(155MM) from Biksmith Design & Fabrications are now installed and I have taken my first few rides with them. Here are my first impressions: 1. Installtion...

Today I installed my new cranks and idlers. Everything went very easy except I forgot how to open the SRAM Power Link Gold 9-speed Connector I use on my chains. I had forgotten that the link needs to be squeezed together in two directions to open. These Power Links are great to have on your chains....

TerraCycle offers a Longbikes Slipstream Idler Kit that looks very nicely made. It replaces the rubber idlers seen on most recumbents with coged idlers that have high quality bearings. TerraCycle claims that the better idlers provide improved efficiency and quieter operation. This improvement is not...

I have been thinking that I should shorten my crank arms since I started having hip problems but I am not sure that the effect is significant. However, I do know that it will be expensive. A friend is going to let me ride his recumbent with shorter cranks before I proceed but I am [...]

Jannd makes my favorite pannies and rack packs, check it out their double secret Spring Sale for some very nice gear at a good price. Some of my favorites on close out are: Mountain Pannier, Mini Mountain Pannier, Grocery Bag Pannier, and Large Mtn. Panniers. But make sure that is less than the regular...

I have been thinking about Knee Savers/Pedal Extenders for quite a while but the price always put me off. My industrially sized sandals tend to rub against the crank arms and a little more pedal clearance should be a good thing. I am not so sure about the Knee Saver claim but I know other Recumbent...

On a tour, off the bike lights are much more than a convenience, they can be a safety item. A good light will let you make repairs by the side of road in the dark, it will also light your way home from dinner, and to the bathroom at night. Those are all [...]